Kathmandu intro.The kingdoms were united under the Shah dynasty in 1768. From 1846, much of the power in Kathmandu was in the hands of the Rana family, with the Shahs as figureheads. However, in 1951 King Tribhuvan overthrew the Ranas and the royal family still reign today as a constitutional monarchy. In 1991, democracy came to Nepal but political instability prevailed, partly owing to corruption. The Maoists of the Communist Party began their violent insurgency in 1996, in which many civilians lost their lives.Author: Graham Dewe